Friday, November 1, 2013

We Seriously Need a Family Vacation!

No one pretends that it is not a lot of work to travel with young children. Family vacations can turn into disasters if you don't set out with a plan! We've learned in the last few years that taking our kids on vacation just requires some extra consideration in order to ensure that we'll make amazing memories.

We haven't taken too many trips since Lincoln was born, but before his arrival, we traveled a lot! One of our favorite spots before we had our kids was Branson, Missouri! We live a little under four hours away and I can remember many, many visits to the area when I was a child. My parents never took me to Hollywood Wax Museum, however - so the first time Andrew and I took the short drive to Branson, it was one of the tourist attractions we did not want to miss.

We are pretty big pop culture fans, and our experience six years ago was so much fun! Hollywood Wax Museum is the longest-running wax museum in the United States - plans are underway to celebrate the museum's 50th Anniversary in 2015! From the Great Ape of Branson and the Hollywood-style Mt. Rushmore on the Branson location's exterior, to the two floors of exhibits inside, this wax museum is a family adventure waiting to happen.

Perhaps our favorite part was the classic Batman exhibit.

We have thought about visiting this amazing museum many times in the last few years, and we finally decided that this year, it was time. We're planning a mini family vacation to Branson in a few weeks - and Hollywood Wax Museum is one of our top destinations. I can't wait to see what the kids think. We are sure to get some hilarious and awesome photos of our kids with characters like Scarlett O'Hara, Indiana Jones, Batman, Dorothy from Oz, and the Phantom of the Opera! I'm anxious to see what new faces have arrived in the museum since we were last there. Since the museum is designed for interaction, we'll be able to walk right into each exhibit and come up with clever photo ideas.

A wax museum may not be the first destination you would think to visit with young kids - but I'm sure the memories we make will be unforgettable. Plus - the photos will be great in Lincoln and Addie's graduation or wedding slideshows!